Adjustable pipe wrench



Aug. 5, 1952 H. J. ELDER- ADJUSTABLE PIPE WRENCH Filed Aug. 4, 1650lm'eutor Howard J- Elder vw lim MV MT Q Patented Aug. 5, 19152 i'2,665,662 ADJUSTABLE PIPE WRENCH Howard J. Elder, Houma, La. l'Application August-4, 1950, Serial vNo.V 177,621

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an adjustablepipe wrench and more specifically pertains to a pipe wrench ofV thechain type specifically adapted forengaging rods, shafts, casingsections and timbers for use in the oil well'industry.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved pipewrench of the chain' type. which shall have an improved and easilymanipulated adjusting. action to accomodate different..

sizes of pipesand the like to bemanipulated.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pipe wrenchof the chain type wherein one end of the chain is adjustably slidablymounted upon the exterior surface of a tubular handle and the other endof the chain is adjustably secured in the interior of the tubularhandle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pipewrench in conformity with the preceding objects in which an improvedresilt ient, easily engaged or released fastener is provided foradjustably securing one end of the chain in the interior of the tubularhandle.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of theinvention which Will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodimentof which has been illustrated, by Way of example only, in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View showing a preferred embodiment ofpipe wrench incorporating therein the principle of this invention, partsof the wrench being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the planeof the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the sectional line 3-3 of Figure l; and

Figure 4 is a further vertical transverse sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the sectional line 4-4 ofFigure 1.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike numerals designate similar parts throughout the various Views, itwill be seen that rthe adjustable pipe wrench chosen. to exemplify theprinciples of this invention includes a tubular handle l of any desiredsize, the same being provided with a hand grip portion l2 at one end ofthe same, the handle being open at its other end for a purpose whichwill later be set forth.

. 2 Y Rigidly attached to the exterior of the tubular body I is atoothed pipe jaw I4 of any'desired character and size, preferablydisposed at one end of the member I0.

The pipe wrench further` includes a'exible chain l5 which may be of anyconventional and known design for this type of Wrench, the chain havingone end pivotly vattached as'at I8 to a depending lug 20 integrallyattached toa slide 22 constituting a sleeve which is slidably receivedupon the exterior surface of the-tubular member l0. Obviously by thismeans one end of the chain may be readily adjusted longitudinally of thetubular member as found desirable or necessary.

The other end of the chain beyond the customary loop adapted to engage apipe and retain the same against the Xed toothed jaw I4, is slidablyreceived within the open end of the tubular member I0 and is adjustablyretained therein by a novel mechanism or fastener to be now described.

For this purpose, the tubular member I0 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced diametrical bores or apertures 24 and a novelfastener isadapted to be seated in selected diametrical apertures and toextend through one of the links of the chain for securing the end of thechain in xed position in the tubular member.

The fastening member in accordance with this invention may convenientlyconsist of a single unitary resilient wire which includes a ring portion26 resiliently and slidably embracing the exterior surface of thetubular member l0, this ring portion having a longitudinally extendingcurved portion 28 whoseend is provided with a diametrically disposedfinger 30. Due to the resilience in the curved portion 28, the 'lingermay be selectively inserted into or withdrawn from the selecteddiametrical apertures 24. The inherent resiliency of the portion 28 willyieldingly retain the finger 30 in seated position in selected aperturesand through the adjacent link of the chain for securely locking the endof the chain in adjusted position in the tubular member.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the device may be utilizedby encircling the pipe or member to be turned with a loop of the chain16, by placing the toothed jaw I4 against the pipe as shown in Figure 1,and sliding the member 22 into position to tighten the chain about thepipe, and pulling the other end of the chain into the tubular member l0and locking the same in proper position by the resilient fastener.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes Willreadily occur to those skilled inthe art after a consideration of theforegoing specication and accompanying drawings, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, butal1 suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingWithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having described; the claimed asinewfis 1. An adjustable pipe wrenchcomprising a vinvention,l whatl ist handle consisting of a tube, atoothed jaw on said V tube, a slide mounted on said tube,-;a, chainfattached to said slide and extending in'to said tube, means foradjustably securing theeendsofsif the chain in said tube, saidadjustingmeans corn-.

prising longitudinally spaced apertures in said tube, a fastenerengaging the links of said chain).

and said apertures, said fastener comprising a resiimientimember,havinga, ring embracingf said f .tubeandfa finger,engageableyvithzsai'd apertures@ and chain.-

2'."An adjustable pipe Wrench ,-fcomprisinga handleconsstinggof atube,;a .toothedgfaw .on-

said` ,iiiibea slidemounted Aongsaid. .tubera chain... a

attached .toh saidslide fand. extending ..into. said tube, meansf-or.,adiustably l securing lthe. vend, ,of the, .chain` insaidf tubesaid, adj usting meanscom- Y. f.

prisinglongitudinally ,spaced `vapertures in said tube, afastenenoengaging, theA linksof said chain...

and said apertures, said fastener comprising a resilient member having aring embracing said Itube and a finger engageable with said aperturesand chain, said ring resiliently and slidably engaging said tube.

3. An adjustable pipe wrench comprising a. handle consisting of a tube,a toothed jaw on said tube, a slide mounted on said tube, a chainattached to said slide and extending into said tube,meanstgfor'adjustably securing the endf of the chain in said A'"tubef;said adjusting means comprising longitudinally spaced apertures in saidtube; a fastener engaging the links of said chain anjdqsaidfapertures,said fastener comprising a resilient member having a ring embracing saidtube andra finger engageable with said apertures and chain,1 saidringresilientl'y and slidably engaging said tube, said fastenerconsisting of an integrale-wire member.

HOWARD J. ELDER.

REEERENCESCITED The,Yefollwingreferences-are-'of recordf'fin' the-

